Article 1(Purpose) #
The purpose of this Act is to nurture international professional human resources by designating and operating special zones for internationalization of education and to enhance international competitiveness at the national level and promote balanced development of regions.
Article 2(Definitions) #
The term "special zone for internationalization of education" in this Act means an area developed to promote education for foreign languages and education for internationalization and designated under Article 4 for such purpose.
Article 3(Relationship to other Acts) #
Except as otherwise expressly provided for in any other Act, this Act shall take precedence over other Acts with regard to special zones for internationalization of education (hereinafter referred to as "special zones").
Article 4(Designation of special zones) #
(1) Upon receipt of a joint request from the Special Metropolitan City Mayor, a Metropolitan City Mayor, a Special Self-Governing City Mayor, a Do Governor, or a Special Self-Governing Province Governor (hereinafter referred to as "Mayor/Do Governor") and the Superintendent of the competent Office of Education, pursuant to paragraph (2), the Minister of Education may designate a special zone after deliberation by the Committee on Special Zones for Internationalization of Education provided for in Article 7. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>
(2) A Mayor/Do Governor and the competent Office of Education may jointly request the Minister of Education to designate an area as a special zone; provided, if an area for a prospective special zone is within the jurisdiction of two or more metropolitan/provincial governments, such as the Special Metropolitan City, Metropolitan Cities, the Special Self-Governing City, Do, and the Special Self-Governing Province (hereinafter referred to as "Cities/Dos"), Mayors/Do Governors involved and the Superintendents of the competent Offices of Education shall jointly request the Minister of Education to designate the special zone. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013
(3) When the Minister of Education designates a special zone under paragraph (1), he or she shall give public notice of details thereof in the Official Gazette and shall notify the competent Mayor/Do Governor without delay, as prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>
(4) Upon receipt of a notice provided for in paragraph (3), a Mayor/Do Governor shall allow the general public to inspect details of the notice for not less than 14 days.
(5) Requirements for the designation of a special zone are as follows: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2021>
1. An area shall have an excellent environment for promoting education for foreign languages and education for internationalization;
2. There shall be a demand for education for foreign languages in elementary and secondary schools and for enhancement of international competitiveness of local communities;
3. The level of contribution of an area to the establishment of infrastructure for internationalization of education shall be higher than that of any other City/Do;
4. An area shall satisfy other conditions determined necessary for the development of a special zone.
(6) Matters necessary for the procedure for designation under paragraph (1) and the detailed requirements for the designation under paragraph (5) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
Article 5(Cancellation of designation of special zones) #
(1) If the Minister of Education finds it particularly impractical to achieve the objectives of a comprehensive plan provided for in Article 6 (1) for the development of a special zone, he or she may cancel the designation of the special zone after deliberation by the Committee on Special Zones for Internationalization of Education as provided for in Article 7. In such cases, the Minister of Education shall hear the opinion of the Special Metropolitan City Mayor, Metropolitan City Mayor, Special Self-Governing City Mayor, Do Governor, or Special Self-Governing Province Governor having jurisdiction over the area designated as a special zone (hereinafter referred to as "Mayor/Do Governor having jurisdiction over a special zone"). <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>
(2) Matters necessary for detailed criteria and the procedure for cancelling designation under paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
Article 6(Formulation of comprehensive plans for development of special zones) #
(1) The Minister of Education shall formulate and implement a comprehensive plan for the development of a special zone every five years (hereinafter referred to as "comprehensive plan for the development of a special zone"). <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>
(2) A comprehensive plan for the development of a special zone shall include the following:
1. Basic directions for the development of the special zone;
2. A plan for the management of educational activities of schools and other educational institutions in the special zone and the establishment of an integrated support system;
3. Nurturing of professional human resources for schools and other educational institutions in the special zone;
4. Promotion of exchanges and cooperation between schools and other educational institutions in the special zone;
5. Diffusion of outcomes from operation of the special zone;
6. Plans for increasing of investment and methods for financing for the development of the special zone;
7. Installation of infrastructure, such as roads and water supply systems, in the special zone, and development of sites for educational facilities;
8. Other matters specified by Presidential Decree for the development of the special zone.
(3) When the Minister of Education intends to formulate a comprehensive plan for the development of a special zone, he or she shall consult thereon with the heads of related central administrative agencies and the Mayor/Do Governor having jurisdiction over the special zone and shall submit the proposed plan to the Committee on Special Zones for Internationalization of Education for deliberation. The foregoing shall also apply where it is intended to amend a provision specified by Presidential Decree as one of the important provisions of the comprehensive plan for the development of a special zone. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>
(4) The Minister of Education shall notify the heads of related central administrative agencies and the Mayor/Do Governor having jurisdiction over a special zone of the comprehensive plan finalized or amended under paragraph (3) for the development of the special zone. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>
(5) The Minister of Education may conduct a fact-finding survey regarding the development of a special zone to formulate a comprehensive plan for the development of the special zone. <Added on Aug. 20, 2019>
Article 7(Committee on Special Zones for Internationalization of Education) #
(1) In order to deliberate on the following matters with regard to the development of special zones, the Committee on Special Zones for Internationalization of Education (hereinafter referred to as the "Committee on Special Zones for Internationalization of Education") shall be established under the Ministry of Education: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>
1. Basic policies and systems for special zones;
2. Designation of special zones, and cancellation of, and alteration to, designation of special zones;
3. Formulation of and amendment to comprehensive plans for the development of special zones;
4. Support plans of competent ministries and agencies in accordance with comprehensive plans for the development of special zones;
5. Moderation of opinions of the heads of related central administrative agencies and the Mayors/Do Governors having jurisdiction over a special zone with regard to special zones;
6. Commissioning of ombudsmen provided for in Article 17;
7. Other matters specified by Presidential Decree for the designation, operation, and development of special zones.
(2) The Committee on Special Zones for Internationalization of Education shall be comprised of not more than 20 members, including one chairperson, one vice chairperson, ex officio members, and not less than seven commissioned members.
(3) The Minister of Education shall serve as the chairperson, and the vice chairperson shall be elected from among commissioned members provided for in paragraph (4). <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>
(4) Persons specified by Presidential Decree among vice ministers and equivalent public officials of related central administrative agencies shall serve as ex officio members, and commissioned members shall be appointed by the chairperson from among persons from educational institutions and education-related organizations, experts in internationalization of education, and other persons who have abundant knowledge and experience with which they are able to contribute to the development and operation of special zones.
(5) A secretariat may be installed under the Ministry of Education in order to assist the Committee on Special Zones for Internationalization of Education at the working level. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>
(6) Matters necessary for the formation and operation of the Committee on Special Zones for Internationalization of Education and its secretariat shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
Article 8(Annual implementation plans) #
(1) The Mayor/Do Governor having jurisdiction over a special zone shall formulate and implement an implementation plan every year (hereinafter referred to as "annual implementation plan") in accordance with a comprehensive plan for the development of the special zone.
(2) When the Mayor/Do Governor having jurisdiction over a special zone intends to formulate an annual implementation plan, he or she shall hear opinions from educational administrative agencies of the local government having jurisdiction over the area designated as the special zone (hereinafter referred to as "local government having jurisdiction over the special zone") and schools, teaching staff, and parents organizations in the special zone.
(3) An annual implementation plan shall be subject to approval from the Minister of Education. An amendment to a provision specified by Presidential Decree as an important provision of an approved annual implementation plan shall be also subject to approval. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>
(4) When the Mayor/Do Governor having jurisdiction over a special zone intends to formulate an annual implementation plan or amend an approved annual implementation plan, he or she shall submit the plan or amendment for review to the Committee for Review of Implementation Plans provided for in Article 9.
(5) The Mayor/Do Governor having jurisdiction over a special zone shall prepare a report on results of implementation for each year and submit the report to the Minister of Education, and the Minister of Education shall evaluate the report so submitted, and the Mayor/Do Governor having jurisdiction over the special zone shall reflect results thereof in the annual implementation plan formulated for the following year. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>
(6) Matters necessary for the formulation of annual implementation plans and the submission of reports provided for in paragraph (5) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
Article 9(Committee for Review of Implementation Plans) #
(1) The Committee for Review of Implementation Plans shall be established as an organization affiliated with the Mayor/Do Governor having jurisdiction over a special zone, in order to review the following:
1. Details of annual implementation plans;
2. Hearing of opinions from residents about the comprehensive plan for the development of a special zone and annual implementation plans and residents' participation therein;
3. Other matters specified by municipal ordinance as necessary for projects for the development of a special zone.
(2) The Committee for Review of Implementation Plans shall be comprised of not more than 15 members, including one chairperson and one vice chairperson.
(3) The Mayor/Do Governor having jurisdiction over a special zone shall serve as the chairperson of the Committee for Review of Implementation Plans, and members shall be appointed or commissioned by the Mayor/Do Governor having jurisdiction over the special zone, from among persons who fall under any of the following subparagraphs:
1. Persons who have served as teaching staff or as an educational expert for not less than five years;
2. Persons who have served as an educational administrator for not less than five years;
3. School parents who have abundant knowledge and experience in internationalization of education;
4. Other persons who have abundant knowledge and experience in internationalization of education.
(4) Matters necessary for organization and operation of the Committee for Review of Implementation Plans shall be prescribed by municipal ordinance.
Article 10(Special provisions regarding operation of elementary and secondary schools) #
An elementary, secondary, or high school in a special zone (hereinafter referred to as "elementary or secondary school") may operate a school exempt from application of Articles 23 and 29 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act with designation from the Superintendent of the Office of Education having jurisdiction over the area designated as a special zone (hereinafter referred to as "Superintendent of the Office of Education having jurisdiction over a special zone").
Article 11(Establishment of infrastructure for internationalization of education) #
The local government having jurisdiction over a special zone may implement the following projects in order to promote education for internationalization in the special zone, and the State may assist a local government in implementing such projects:
1. Establishment of schools eligible for application of special provisions of Article 61 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act for education of internationalization;
2. Development of foreign language towns (referring to districts designated for practicing foreign languages, with various educational facilities and ancillary facilities established for experiencing diverse national cultures of various linguistic regions and improving proficiency in foreign languages);
3. Implementation of the following programs by stage in foreign language towns for common use of foreign languages:
(a) Services provided by public institutions in foreign languages;
(b) Development of an environment for using foreign languages in neighborhood facilities and facilities for cultural activities, welfare, assembly, etc.;
(c) Other programs necessary for establishment of infrastructure for internationalization of education;
4. Establishment and designation of facilities for international exchange;
5. Other matters necessary for establishment of infrastructure for internationalization of education.
[Title Amended on Mar. 23, 2021]
Article 12(Enhancement of education of foreign languages in elementary and secondary schools) #
In order to enhance education of foreign languages in elementary and secondary schools, the Superintendent of the Office of Education having jurisdiction over a special zone shall implement the following programs, and the State may assist the Superintendent of the Office of Education having jurisdiction over a special zone in implementing such programs:
1. Creation and operation of programs for improving proficiency in foreign languages;
2. Installation and operation of facilities for experimental learning of foreign languages in elementary schools;
3. Nurturing of foreign language instructors and improvement of re-education programs;
4. Other programs necessary for enhancing education of foreign languages in elementary and secondary schools.
Article 13(Enhancement of international competitiveness of universities) #
(1) A university in a special zone may formulate and implement a plan for the development of infrastructure for promoting international exchanges and cooperation in education and for the enhancement of international competitiveness in university education.
(2) A university in a special zone may perform the following programs to implement the plan provided for in paragraph (1):
1. Joint operation of joint or multiple academic degree programs with foreign universities and expansion of cross registration systems;
2. Expansion of student and faculty exchanges with foreign universities;
3. Extensive invitation of foreign students;
4. Introduction of education programs from privileged overseas universities;
5. Other programs necessary for a university to enhance its international competitiveness.
(3) The State or the local government having jurisdiction over a special zone may provide administrative and financial assistance to a university that implements a program provided for in paragraph (2).
(4) The State may provide scholarships, dormitories, job referral services, and other necessary assistance to a university in a special zone, when such university promotes inviting foreign students.
Article 14(Improvement of international competitiveness of local communities) #
The Mayor/Do Governor having jurisdiction over a special zone and the Superintendent of the Office of Education having jurisdiction over the special zone may implement the following programs in order to improve international competitiveness of local communities in the special zone:
1. Development of villages for experiencing cultures of different linguistic regions, in which local residents can experience and participate in exchanges of diverse foreign cultures;
2. Establishment and operation of lifelong education institutions provided for in subparagraph 2 of Article 2 of the Lifelong Education Act, in which local residents can practice and learn foreign languages;
3. Other programs specified by Presidential Decree.
Article 15(Subsidization for establishment and operation of foreigners' schools) #
The State and the local government having jurisdiction over a special zone may subsidize a foreigners' school provided for in Article 60-2 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act in the special zone for purchasing a building site, building facilities, or operating the school in order to improve educational conditions for foreigners.
Article 16(Designation and operation of hospitals for treatment of foreigners) #
(1) The Minister of Health and Welfare and the Mayor/Do Governor having jurisdiction over a special zone may designate a hospital in a special zone as a hospital for treatment of foreigners in order to provide foreigners with more convenient medical services.
(2) Matters necessary for designation and operation of hospitals for treatment of foreigners under paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Health and Welfare.
Article 17(Installation of ombudsmen) #
(1) Ombudsmen shall be appointed in a special zone in order to assist foreigners in solving problems in their daily lives. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2021>
(2) The ombudsmen provided for in paragraph (1) shall be commissioned by the Minister of Education, upon deliberation by the Committee on Special Zones for Internationalization of Education, from among persons who have abundant knowledge or experience in improvement of living conditions of foreigners. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>
(3) Matters necessary for management of ombudsmen shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
Article 18(Contribution by Mayors/Do Governors having jurisdiction over special zones) #
The Mayor/Do Governor having jurisdiction over a special zone may contribute funds to or invest in related public organizations, etc. in order to develop the special zone. <Amended on May 28, 2014>
Article 19(Free loans of State or public property owned by State or local government having jurisdiction over special zone) #
(1) If deemed necessary to implement a project in accordance with the comprehensive plan for the development of a special zone, the State may permit a person to use State property or may lend State property free of charge, notwithstanding the State Property Act.
(2) When State property is permitted to be used, or is lent, under paragraph (1), the period of such use or loan shall be set in accordance with the provisions of Article 35 (1) or 46 (1) of the State Property Act.
(3) When the period of permitted use or loan of State property under paragraph (2) expires, the previous permission for use or loan contract may be renewed for a period not exceeding the period of such permitted use or loan.
(4) If deemed necessary to implement a project in accordance with the comprehensive plan for the development of a special zone, the local government having jurisdiction over a special zone may permit a person to use public property or commodities or may lend public property or commodities free of charge, notwithstanding the Public Property and Commodity Management Act.
(5) If deemed necessary to implement a project in accordance with a comprehensive plan for the development of a special zone, the State may transfer or loan its commodities to a person, or may permit a person to use its commodities for profit, free of charge, notwithstanding the Commodity Management Act.
(6) Matters necessary for conditions of, and the procedure for, the transfer, loan, or permission for use for profit under paragraphs (1), (4), and (5) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
Article 20(Reporting to National Assembly) #
The Minister of Education shall submit a report on the designation, operation, and development of special zones to the National Assembly each year by not later than the opening date of a regular session of the National Assembly. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>
Article 21(Delegation of authority) #
The Minister of Education may delegate part of his or her authority under this Act to the Mayor/Do Governor having jurisdiction over a special zone and to the Superintendent of the Office of Education having jurisdiction over a special zone, as prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>
Article 22(Education of persons eligible for social care) #
The State and the local government having jurisdiction over a special zone shall establish and implement policies necessary for education of persons eligible for social care, such as low-income population and disabled persons, as prescribed by Presidential Decree, in order to guarantee them equal opportunities for education, assist them in demonstration their potential and abilities, and in fully performing their roles and responsibilities as members of society. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2021>